Christmas gifts from BBMF for Second World War veterans

Header Image: This year’s BBMF Christmas presents for veterans. (Photos: Diane Law-Crookes)

Continuing the tradition that has developed in recent years, in December the BBMF once again sent Christmas gifts to a number of Second World War veterans who are friends of the Flight.

Sadly, their number is dwindling and two more of the BBMF’s veteran friends, “Taff” Owen and Henry Townsley, passed away in December. Aneurin “Taff” Owen served as a Lancaster wireless operator with 12 and 153 Squadrons and took part in Operation Manna. He was 100 years old when he died. Henry Townsley DFM was a Lancaster flight engineer who completed 55 ‘ops’ with 97 Squadron from Coningsby. He was 104 years old when he died.

This year 10 veterans received the BBMF gift bags. Where possible they were hand-delivered by BBMF personnel returning home on leave for Christmas. The gifts for the veterans would not be possible at all without the funding provided by the RAF Memorial Flight Official Club, as well as the generosity of certain companies and individuals.

This year the gift bags included copies of Lisa Harding’s book, ‘The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in Photos’, which were generously provided at cost price by the publisher Mortons Media Group Ltd. In addition, included within the goodies were: honey from OC BBMF's very own bees, tea bags donated by BBMF sponsor The Lincoln Tea and Coffee Company, and a wooden Christmas bauble designed and made by BBMF technician Corporal ‘Smiffy’ Smit using laser etching.

Club members can feel proud that at this time of year their support of the BBMF has also been of great benefit in supporting some of the few remaining Second World War veterans to whom we owe so much.